Sandy MacFarlane wrote and recorded songs during the 1920's-1940's for Columbia Records in New York. His band's name was "The Chimney Swallows", and they often played around the Boston, Massachusetts area.

I believe Sandy MacFarlane was originally from Embo, Scotland. I know he wasn't from Glasgow, but I wondered if any on the boards would remember or know anything about his backround. My grandmother, Kate Simpson (from Glasgow) had several pictures of this Sandy MacFarlane, and I am wondering if there is any connection to her family.

Whitenee9, I've never heard of him , but this came up when I searched on Google. Hope it helps. There's lots more data on him and his band. Just go to Google and have a wee look.

[ Sandy MacFarlane and His Chimney Swallows The band was active during the 'Teens, 1920s, and 1930s, appearing on radio as well as touring. Here's a photograph of the Chimney Swallows In private correspondence, Mr. Dean-Myatt has recalled: "I know very little about him except that he was born in Western Scotland and went to America as a young man. He made many records for Columbia and Brunswick, all of which were of Scottish 'music hall' (vaudeville) type material. He composed most of his own songs. One of them, "Granny's Hielan' Hame" is still very popular in Scotland, and is in the repertoire of most Scots popular singers. He is believed to have died in the Boston area. Despite my best efforts I just cannot find out anything about him. Most people nicknamed 'Sandy' were christened 'Alexander'. The 'Weymouth News' (Massachusetts) reported in their Dec. 1, 1933 edition: Other MacFarlane recordings include: "When The Heather Bells are Blooming" Columbia (yr)1916 "Silly Willie"/"The road to the isles" Brunswick 1128 "My bonnie hieland Maggie"/"I'm eighty in the mornin'" Brunswick 3824 "MacNab's a Jolly Sailor, "The Lassie I Left on The Shore" (composed & sung by Sandy MacFarlane)

Thank you Brenda! Yes, I have seen that information on google and that's about all there is to be had about him. someone was good enough to get his baptismal for me. I guess I want to know where he died, did he marry, who were his children. Anyway to make a connection between my grandmother and his MacFarlane family. LOL--maybe there was no more a connection than they were both from Scotland, living in the Boston area at the same time, and she went to his concerts. Except, the pictures of him are portraits done in Boston, so I think there more to the story. Also, a painter in Boston painted Sandy MacFarlane a picture of "Grannies' Highland Home", and my gran had a photo of this painting.

HI, Sandy McFarlane was born in glasgow scotland. My grandfather sister was married to Sandy McFarlane. He had 4 children 2 boys, 2 girls. Only 1 is still alive living in Ma. My grandfather came over from scotland when he was 16 years old. He was born in 1895 and lived in PA and MA until he died at 100. Sandy was already in the states when my grandfather game to the US. His sister was already married to Sandy McFarlane.

All material in the site Glasgow Guide is copyright of the Glasgow Guide Organisation. This material is for your own private use only, and no part of the site may be reproduced, amended, modified, copied, or transmitted to third parties, by any means whatsoever without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved.